At least 36 people have died and several others sustain injuries after a head-on clash between two trains in Greece, local authorities disclosed.
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| Trains collide in Greece killing at least 36. Photo: Vaggelis Kousioras/AP Photo via Al Jazeera |
The clash occurred outside the Central City of Larissa late on Tuesday when a passenger train coming from the capital, Athens to Thessaloniki collided with a cargo train travelling from the Northern city.
As a result of the impact, some of the passenger carriages exploded in flames.
About 350 people had been on the passenger train, which left Athens, Rail operator Hellenic Train reported.
At least, 66 people sustained various degree of injury in the collision, encompassing six in intensive care.
More than 200 passengers that sustained minor injuries were evacuated by bus to Thessaloniki.
Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of Greece, said, she would cut short her visit to Moldova and return home.
She told a joint news conference in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, “unfortunately, I have to interrupt my visit in order to be close to my people, to support those who need it.”
It remains unknown the circumstances of the collision.
